FANWOOD, NJ – Last Saturday, the original Mara and the Mayor of Fanwood were on hand to help franchisee Marci Semel officially open Mara’s Café & Bakery, a casual, family-friendly cafe across the street from the Fanwood train station.

Mara’s Café & Bakery has been recognized regionally and in New Jersey as the Best Coffeehouse, and has won numerous awards for its cheesecake, gelato, cupcakes, cannoli, sandwiches and more.

“We are pleased to have Marci on our team,” said Ian Magley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mara’s Franchise Systems, LLC. “Her enthusiasm and focus on providing a great customer experience makes her a perfect franchisee to help us expand our franchise network and to Make Every Day Delicious in Fanwood, NJ.”

“I am thrilled to become a part of the Mara’s family,” said Semel. “To me, the Mara’s brand represents great award-winning products served in a comfortable environment. I have enjoyed being a customer of Mara’s Café & Bakery in Denville, and am excited to bring Mara’s to my home community.”

Many local residents dropped by to help celebrate and they enjoyed the face painting, balloon magic and tastings.

FANWOOD – Votes on the Fanwood Borough Council frequently are unanimously passed. However, an ordinance calling for a three-way stop sign at the intersection of North Avenue and Sheelen's Crossing was approved in a 4-2 vote following a lively discussion at the Council's special meeting on Monday night.

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- The boys’ and girls’ soccer programs at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School have seen many extraordinary players take the field over the programs’ years of rich history. The 2016 teams, however, may have had the most talent of any of those teams.

Recently, six players from each program received top spots on NJ.com’s All State, All Group and ...

FANWOOD, NJ -- Liz Jeffery, Fanwood's redevelopment consultant, updated the Borough Council on progress at a number of properties at a special meeting on Monday night.

Jeffrey reported that the China Moon/Ginger Sushi building (266 South Ave.) renovations are expected to be finished in a couple of weeks. The restaurant kitchen will no longer be visible from South ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – This fall sports season at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School featured an undefeated team, state finalists, All-State players and star seniors. All of them were honored Tuesday night at the high school's Fall Sports Awards.

A highlight was Fall Coach of the Year, an award went to girls’ soccer head coach Kevin Ewing, whose team went undefeated ...

FANWOOD, NJ -- The next great dessert treat may owe its creation to sibling rivalry.

When Rob Watterson of Nick's Pizza, which recently added flavored cannoli to its menu, and Brandon Watterson of Rocko's Ice Cream almost crashed their vehicles vying over a parking lot, the two realized they could put their respective desserts together to create Cannoli Ice Cream pies. The ...